An off-duty Harris County sheriff's deputy fatally shot a suspected shoplifter during a confrontation late Thursday in the parking lot of a northside Walmart, officials said.

The deputy was apparently trying to apprehend a woman accused of shoplifting about 10:15 p.m. at a Walmart along the North Freeway near West.

She allegedly got into her car and began to drive away when the deputy tried to pull her out. According to early reports, the deputy fired while the woman was dragging him through the parking lot, officials said.

The woman fled and drove to an apartment complex about a mile away, where she died.

It wasn't clear if the deputy was injured, but officials said he was not transported to the hospital.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office and the Harris County District Attorney's Office are investigating the fatal shooting.